Mosque expansion pushback

Well, tensions are building around the potential expansion of a mosque in Pinellas County. Commissioners gave the proposal its approval earlier this month. And as some members of the community pushed back this week, a viral moment during the meeting is now drawing national attention. Our FOX 13's Erin Mesmer has more. This mosque in Tarpon Springs wants to expand and Pinellas County commissioners took a step this month toward allowing that to happen. But some neighbors say they didn't know about the plans and they want commissioners to reconsider. In May, the Masjid Al-Rahman requested land use and zoning changes that would essentially allow the mosque to either rebuild or expand into a larger footprint. The mosque has been operating out of the same home since the early 1990s. County staff has said the proposal would allow for a more modern place of worship, while also improving stormwater treatment and pedestrian and vehicle safety along the surrounding roads. Commissioners say they received no pushback for months and approved the plans with a 4-3 vote two weeks ago. But this week, several neighbors said they hadn't heard about the issue until recently. They believe the community wasn't given enough notice. The residents of this community would greatly appreciate you leaving it alone and stop rezoning it for commercial purposes. I am asking you to please put this back on your agenda for re-vote now that the community has had an opportunity to speak to you about our questions and concerns. Commissioners, however, said they followed all state laws regarding proper notice, posting signs in the community and in the newspaper. I asked the county attorney's office to look at this to see if there's any legal deficiency in the way this case was handled. We reached out to the mosque, but have not yet heard back. Meanwhile, this discussion was briefly overshadowed by a moment that has since gone viral nationally. A person claiming to be a Muslim woman covered in a burqa played what sounded like a recorded prayer. Commissioners had the person removed from the meeting, saying their rules on decorum do not allow pre-recorded media. Just stop the music, stop the tape, escort out. Hey, enough. You can tape the meeting, but we don't allow taped We received comments from at least one member of the Muslim community who believes that person was not Muslim and was just trying to inflame anti-Islamic sentiment during the meeting. However, we don't know for sure one way or the other right now. And a county attorney told commissioners that their decision was final, but it could be challenged in court. In Tarpon Springs, Aaron Mesmer, FOX 13 News.